On the waterfront
The city of New York is experiencing unprecedented growth. Forecasts predict an additional three million people will join its population in the coming 25 years. As an ever-evolving city, there are significant questions about where and how this growth will be accommodated and what it will mean for all New Yorkers.
To help inform the dialogue about the challenges and choices for the city, AECOM has produced a framework document exploring the regeneration and development potential of Southwest Brooklyn to drive an ascendant, resilient, equitable, and thriving New York City. Comprising Red Hook and Sunset Park, this neighborhood represents by far the single largest area left for development in New York.
Forming a key part of this discussion document, AECOM’s innovative Triple Bottom Line tool was used to explore different scenarios for development, see graphic below based on the Red Hook area. Taking into account the social, environmental and financial considerations, the tool captures, analyzes and visualizes data to guide investment that will deliver the greatest social and environmental benefits while also meeting city and regional goals.
On a real-time basis, the tool will also help in communicating why projects are selected and what the impacts and investment outcomes are from a societal, environmental and financial perspective. It can project and measure performance against criteria such as job generation, greenhouse gas emissions, recreation and open space creation, affordable housing creation, system resilience and water quality. This will enable decision makers to interactively develop a broad consensus of the various plans.
The graphic below depicts three density scenarios for Red Hook based on 25, 35 and 45 million square feet of high- and mid-rise development. These options are created to facilitate wide-ranging discussions between groups from local residents and business owners to developers and city agencies on the costs and benefits of new infrastructure, buildings, flood protection, affordable housing, parks and other elements of the built environment.
